BACKGROUND.Inadequate supply of safe blood has been a source of worry to health facilities in Nigeria. One way of addressing this is problem is to consider the use of Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) as an alternative to adult blood for the purpose of blood transfusion. This will only be possible if we accept this alternative.OBJECTIVES.The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi; North central; Nigeria.METHODS.With the use of structured questionnaire; information on socio-demography; acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood; and factors responsible for rejecting UCB were collected from 302 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Benue State University Teaching Hospital; Makurdi. Data generated was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19. RESULTS.The median age of the respondents was 29 years. Majority was Tiv (84.2%); Civil servants (45.3%); Christians (95.1%); and 62.4% had tertiary education. Twenty-one percent of the women were willing to accept UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion. Twenty percent were willing to accept UCB for their babies. The reasons for not willing to accept UCB included; the feeling that UCB is not safe (44.4%); that UCB transfusion is not a usual practice (34.9%); the feeling that UCB may be injurious to their health (12.7%) and that UCB transfusion is against their faith (8.0%).CONCLUSION.Acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi is low. The major reasons for rejecting UCB was the feeling that cord blood is not safe for transfusion and that it was not a usual practice. For a successful establishment of cord blood banking in Makurdi; massive public awareness program will have to be instituted to deal with the misconceptions surrounding UCB transfusion.

BACKGROUND.Inadequate supply of safe blood has been a source of worry to health facilities in Nigeria. One way of addressing this is problem is to consider the use of Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) as an alternative to adult blood for the purpose of blood transfusion. This will only be possible if we accept this alternative.OBJECTIVES.The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi; North central; Nigeria.METHODS.With the use of structured questionnaire; information on socio-demography; acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood; and factors responsible for rejecting UCB were collected from 302 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Benue State University Teaching Hospital; Makurdi. Data generated was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19. RESULTS.The median age of the respondents was 29 years. Majority was Tiv (84.2%); Civil servants (45.3%); Christians (95.1%); and 62.4% had tertiary education. Twenty-one percent of the women were willing to accept UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion. Twenty percent were willing to accept UCB for their babies. The reasons for not willing to accept UCB included; the feeling that UCB is not safe (44.4%); that UCB transfusion is not a usual practice (34.9%); the feeling that UCB may be injurious to their health (12.7%) and that UCB transfusion is against their faith (8.0%).CONCLUSION.Acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi is low. The major reasons for rejecting UCB was the feeling that cord blood is not safe for transfusion and that it was not a usual practice. For a successful establishment of cord blood banking in Makurdi; massive public awareness program will have to be instituted to deal with the misconceptions surrounding UCB transfusion.

BACKGROUND.Evidence from; clinical studies has shown that for most HIV positive patients near perfect adherence ( 95%) are required for virological suppression and clinical success. This degree of adherence is far greater than that commonly associated with other chronic diseases and this is quite difficult for most patients to maintain over the course of a lifelong illness. The study was therefore carried out to determine the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to identify predictors of adherence and non- adherence.METHODOLOGY.A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of four months (Oct 2007 to Feb 2008). Systematic sampling was used to select 273 HIV positive patients receiving treatment at PEPFAR clinic; UBTH; Benin City. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Adherence was assessed using patients self-report on the percentage of prescribed doses taken within a one month period. Adherence score of95% was taken as the cut-off point. Data analysis was by SPSS version 15.0; and the level of significance was set at p0.05.RESULTS The level of adherence to antiretroviral chemotherapy was 241(88.3%). The most common reason for non-adherence to chemotherapy was being busy 38(30.4%) and forgetfulness 33(26.4%); whereas adherence was associated with the duration of treatment.CONCLUSION.Adherence level in the study was 88.3%; whereas the optimal adherence required to achieve clinical success is 95%. This adherence gap remains a source of concern; therefore adherence counseling is strongly recommended

BACKGROUND.Evidence from; clinical studies has shown that for most HIV positive patients near perfect adherence ( 95%) are required for virological suppression and clinical success. This degree of adherence is far greater than that commonly associated with other chronic diseases and this is quite difficult for most patients to maintain over the course of a lifelong illness. The study was therefore carried out to determine the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and to identify predictors of adherence and non- adherence.METHODOLOGY.A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized for the study and it was carried out over a period of four months (Oct 2007 to Feb 2008). Systematic sampling was used to select 273 HIV positive patients receiving treatment at PEPFAR clinic; UBTH; Benin City. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Adherence was assessed using patients self-report on the percentage of prescribed doses taken within a one month period. Adherence score of95% was taken as the cut-off point. Data analysis was by SPSS version 15.0; and the level of significance was set at p0.05.RESULTS The level of adherence to antiretroviral chemotherapy was 241(88.3%). The most common reason for non-adherence to chemotherapy was being busy 38(30.4%) and forgetfulness 33(26.4%); whereas adherence was associated with the duration of treatment.CONCLUSION.Adherence level in the study was 88.3%; whereas the optimal adherence required to achieve clinical success is 95%. This adherence gap remains a source of concern; therefore adherence counseling is strongly recommended

BACKGROUND.Primary health care has been identified as the most cost-effective way of realizing health for all; and the health-related millennium development goals; while community participation in the running of health services is recognized as the key to unlocking the potentials of primary health care. This study assessed the effectiveness of a community health committee (CHC) in an oil bearing community in Rivers State; south-south Nigeria.METHOD.The study was carried out using a pre- intervention/ post-intervention study design. The CHC was constituted; and its performance assessed after six months; using five qualitative indicators: needs assessment; leadership; resource mobilization; management and organization that were previously established by Rifkin and coworkers. The data for the study were collected through document analysis; personal observations; and interviews.RESULTS.Members of the CHC had an average age of 47.54 +/- 7.5 years; with at least secondary school education; and were mainly either self-employed or civil servants. The CHC was therefore found to be well constituted. The capacity of the committee for resource mobilization was graded as good; because it was able to make contacts for additional resources for the health center. The committee was however rated poor in the areas of needs assessment; leadership; and management. Most members of the committee did not understand their expected role in the committee. The committee was only able to implement 2 out of the 7 interventions identified during the community needs assessment; and was able to hold just 2 out of the 6 scheduled meetings; with only 6 (42.86%); out of the 14 members of the committee attending all the meetings. The poor performance was attributed to the committee's lack of control over the health center and its staff.CONCLUSION.The constitution of a CHC does not guarantee the expected level of community participation. Effective leadership and full community control of health centers and their staff are therefore recommended.

BACKGROUND.Primary health care has been identified as the most cost-effective way of realizing health for all; and the health-related millennium development goals; while community participation in the running of health services is recognized as the key to unlocking the potentials of primary health care. This study assessed the effectiveness of a community health committee (CHC) in an oil bearing community in Rivers State; south-south Nigeria.METHOD.The study was carried out using a pre- intervention/ post-intervention study design. The CHC was constituted; and its performance assessed after six months; using five qualitative indicators: needs assessment; leadership; resource mobilization; management and organization that were previously established by Rifkin and coworkers. The data for the study were collected through document analysis; personal observations; and interviews.RESULTS.Members of the CHC had an average age of 47.54 +/- 7.5 years; with at least secondary school education; and were mainly either self-employed or civil servants. The CHC was therefore found to be well constituted. The capacity of the committee for resource mobilization was graded as good; because it was able to make contacts for additional resources for the health center. The committee was however rated poor in the areas of needs assessment; leadership; and management. Most members of the committee did not understand their expected role in the committee. The committee was only able to implement 2 out of the 7 interventions identified during the community needs assessment; and was able to hold just 2 out of the 6 scheduled meetings; with only 6 (42.86%); out of the 14 members of the committee attending all the meetings. The poor performance was attributed to the committee's lack of control over the health center and its staff.CONCLUSION.The constitution of a CHC does not guarantee the expected level of community participation. Effective leadership and full community control of health centers and their staff are therefore recommended.

The Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) is a young tertiary hospital with recently established department in various specialties. In spite of this it caters for the health needs of a lot of the patients in Bayelsa state and its environs. The aim of this study therefore is to audit the otorhinolaryngological (ORL) practice in this center with the aim of establishing the pattern of ORL disease which is useful for the planning of effective ORL services Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients that presented to the ear; nose and throat department of NDUTH from January 2007 to December 2011. The patient's folders and clinic records were the source of data.Results: There were 2;275 patients seen within the period under study. The age ranged from 3months to 80 years. Patients who were in the 21-30 year age group (21.1) were the most frequently seen. There were 1;150(50.55) males and 1;125(49.45) females with a male female ratio of 1.02:1. The adults were 1;725(75.82) while the children were 550(24.18). Otologic conditions ranked highest in the clinic presentations with wax impaction being the commonest ear disorder encountered. There were about 573 (25.19) procedures done within this period. Aural syringing was the commonest procedure. There was no major theatre procedures carried out.Conclusion: The otorhinolaryngologic practice in the centre is growing and otologic diseases appear to be the most common conditions seen. There is therefore need to equip both the theatre and clinic so as to offer effective care. Audiololgical services also are relevant for the rehabilitation of these patients in view of the considerable number with hearing loss. The ORL practice here appears quite elementary. Therefore there is a need to vigorously equip the department

The Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) is a young tertiary hospital with recently established department in various specialties. In spite of this it caters for the health needs of a lot of the patients in Bayelsa state and its environs. The aim of this study therefore is to audit the otorhinolaryngological (ORL) practice in this center with the aim of establishing the pattern of ORL disease which is useful for the planning of effective ORL services Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients that presented to the ear; nose and throat department of NDUTH from January 2007 to December 2011. The patient's folders and clinic records were the source of data.Results: There were 2;275 patients seen within the period under study. The age ranged from 3months to 80 years. Patients who were in the 21-30 year age group (21.1) were the most frequently seen. There were 1;150(50.55) males and 1;125(49.45) females with a male female ratio of 1.02:1. The adults were 1;725(75.82) while the children were 550(24.18). Otologic conditions ranked highest in the clinic presentations with wax impaction being the commonest ear disorder encountered. There were about 573 (25.19) procedures done within this period. Aural syringing was the commonest procedure. There was no major theatre procedures carried out.Conclusion: The otorhinolaryngologic practice in the centre is growing and otologic diseases appear to be the most common conditions seen. There is therefore need to equip both the theatre and clinic so as to offer effective care. Audiololgical services also are relevant for the rehabilitation of these patients in view of the considerable number with hearing loss. The ORL practice here appears quite elementary. Therefore there is a need to vigorously equip the department

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases which contribute significantly to the burden of non-communicable diseases. With the increasing prevalence of COPD in developing countries a good knowledge of disease burden and process is essential.Methods: Review of the available literature on the subject was done through Medline and Google search utilising the following keywords COPD; epidemiology; pathogenesis and management.Result: COPD which is increasing in prevalence has varied pathogenetic mechanisms which are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic environmental promoters.Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD is increasing especially in developing countries. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and current understanding provides insights that are expected to improve on treatment and outcome.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases which contribute significantly to the burden of non-communicable diseases. With the increasing prevalence of COPD in developing countries a good knowledge of disease burden and process is essential.Methods: Review of the available literature on the subject was done through Medline and Google search utilising the following keywords COPD; epidemiology; pathogenesis and management.Result: COPD which is increasing in prevalence has varied pathogenetic mechanisms which are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic environmental promoters.Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD is increasing especially in developing countries. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and current understanding provides insights that are expected to improve on treatment and outcome.

Attitude to the Formation of Community Health Committee in an Oil Bearing Community in South-South Nigeria / Brisibe; Seiyefa Fun-Akpa Ordinioha; Best